A NEW initiative aiming to give young people a voice has been launched in Cranleigh.

An initial meeting organised by Inspector Graham Weaver of Waverley Police was attended by representatives of Surrey County and Cranleigh Parish Councils, Cranleigh Youth Centre and Glebelands School, including a group of students.

“This was Graham Weaver seeking to highlight the fact that young people in the village do not have a voice. This was an opportunity for them to express some views,” parish council chairman, Cllr Brian Ellis, told last Thursdays meeting of the authority. “(The young people) all came from Glebelands but do not necessarily admit to knowing about the youth club, though they did know about FLY [For Local Youth],” he continued.

Cllr Ellis said it had been a useful meeting and another would be taking place shortly, at which the students would put forward some thoughts for consideration.

Cllr Cyril Baily, who was also at the meeting, said the youngsters appeared to be unhappy with the plan to re-locate the “50 pence” bus shelter to Snoxhall for use as a youth shelter.

This, the parish council heard, was in contrast to the views of Cranleigh Youth Club members, who were keen on the idea.

Cllr Baily continued: “They were thinking more in terms of being where the action is, on the high street.” The students at the meeting were keener on the idea of a coffee bar, he said, and raised the possibility that young people could be encouraged to use the café at the village’s leisure centre, possibly in conjunction with the offer of something like a free swim.

The council’s vice-chairman, Cllr Brian Cheesman, said: “A lot of the youngsters are looking forward to the arrival of the new coffee shop in Stocklund Square.”

This was a reference to plans by Costa Coffee to take over the empty shop in the square and part of the neighbouring unit, currently occupied by the sports shop, which is closing down. The plan is also to have seats outside.

Cllr Patricia Ellis suggested that given the different opinions of the various groups of young people, who must all attend Glebelands, a survey should be run in conjunction with the school. This was in the process of being organised, the meeting heard.

Cllr Brian Ellis said it might be a good idea that the next meeting involving the young people should include members of the youth club as well as the Glebelands students.

Meanwhile, the meeting was told that fears over the future of Cranleigh Youth Centre had eased.

Steps were being taken to marginally increase charges to the users, said Cllr Ellis, while plans were also afoot to change it from a youth centre to a youth and community centre. Talks were currently taking place with the Charity Commissioners about changing the terms of the trust set up to run the building, he said.